With the 70's behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to the news desk in "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues." Also back for more are Ron's co-anchor and wife, Veronica… MoreWith the 70's behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to the news desk in "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues." Also back for more are Ron's co-anchor and wife, Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), weather man Brick Tamland (Steve Carell), man on the street Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd) and sports guy Champ Kind (David Koechner) - All of whom won't make it easy to stay classy...while taking the nation's first 24-hour news channel by storm. (c) Paramount

The unscripted, off-the-cuff joshing between Ferrell and co-stars Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and David Koechner this time fails to come up with enough good jokes, though they do hit the occasional satirical bull's eye.

Perhaps suffering at the hands of its' own hype, this sequel can't help but feel bogged down. The jokes now feel too forced to be as funny as they… MorePerhaps suffering at the hands of its' own hype, this sequel can't help but feel bogged down. The jokes now feel too forced to be as funny as they used to be, but 'Anchorman 2' still provides plenty of big laughs. With comedic firepower like Ferrell, Carell, and Rudd, you always have a shot at making a hilarious film. Bigger and bolder doesn't always mean better, as anyone can clearly see here.

MisterYoda ?

three stars

Chris Weber

After years of being stuck in development hell, Will Ferrell and the gang return for a long overdue continuation of everyone's favorite moron news team.… MoreAfter years of being stuck in development hell, Will Ferrell and the gang return for a long overdue continuation of everyone's favorite moron news team.
Set in the 80s, the film follows Ron and Co. as they leave the world of San Diego prime time for the world of New York where they get involved in the revolutionary idea of a 24 hour news channel. I did say this was the 80s, right? Good. Cuz otherwise this wouldn't really be that special of a plotline.
And that's kinda the problem here. I think the film came out a little too late. Why was it in development for so long? To be fair though, I have always been on the fence about a sequel to Anchorman because I felt like it was something that worked more than fine as a stand alone film, and that it was unlikely they'd be able to even equal what they did the first time around.
I kept an open mind however, and ended up not hating it. I also ended up not liking it near as much as I could or should have, as well.
Here's the thing. The film is funny. In fact, at times it's ridiculously funny. Unfortunately, it's not nearly as funny as it thinks it is, and many of the jokes fall flat and go on for way too long. Also, when I said it was sometimes ridiculously funny, I should have put more emphasis on the the ridiculous part, as this film gets really ridiculous, over the top, and absurd at times.
Sometimes it works, but, like a lot of the humor, it goes too far, and it feels like they're being, weird, silly, absurd, and ridiculous, just for the sake of it. And it didn't always work for me. Granted, I've matured since I first fell in love with Anchorman, and some of my tastes have changed, and I did see this film late at night and the end of a long day when I was really exhausted and perhaps not in the best frame of mind, but still, I expect a lot out of these guys.
But it seems they're stuck in Step Brothers mode, and that just doesn't really work for me. Plus, they lose focus from the main plot a lot, and at just under 2 hours, that much meandering is a tad too much.
But yet, I'm still giving this the slightest recommendation possible. Why is that? Well, like I said, until it goes on for too long, the film is really funny. The returning cast have these roles and the chemistry down perfectly, the new additions are decent enough, and the cameos (of which there are many, some of them even brilliant) really help sell the fun and entertainment factor.
I just think that this wasn't as inspired, they tried a bit too hard in the wrong areas, and that they only did this just because they knew it would sell, and not because, (like the first one) they had a great idea with a strong execution.
As I said though, maybe because I've changed I'm in the wrong, and this really is great, and I just don't get it. I kinda doubt it though.
All in all, in small doses, this does have it's moments, so sure, give it a rental or catch it on cable. Just don't go in expecting brilliance.

Spencer S.

What made the original "Anchorman" special, was the unexpected absurdity of it: the time period, the focus on gender politics, the inane and yet… MoreWhat made the original "Anchorman" special, was the unexpected absurdity of it: the time period, the focus on gender politics, the inane and yet hilarious exploits of its news team. This sequel doesn't quite have the same edge, or at least the same unexpectedness of its predecessor. Most of the funny moments in this film aim to be silly instead of shocking. What really puts me off about this film is its inability to let jokes die out quickly, and instead goes far too long with gags. The sequel also casts out elements from the first film that remain fan favorites, included Baxter the dog, the banter between Ron and Veronica, and a reliability on its time period. This new film tries to bring commentary on news networks of today into its eighties' setting without any modicum of satire, instead relying on more gags. If this film had come out earlier, it probably would have been better suited. Now it's a little tired and egotistical. Still, that being said, at least Anchorman 2 knows what it is and revels in it with complete absurdity when possible, which is uncommon nowadays.

Al S

The news team is back and better than ever in a sequel that is damn near as good as the first one. An outrageously funny and endlessly enjoyable comedy that… MoreThe news team is back and better than ever in a sequel that is damn near as good as the first one. An outrageously funny and endlessly enjoyable comedy that just delivers even more big laughs, insane imagination and bigger stars. After ten years we finally get the sequel we have been waiting for and it was worth the wait. Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and David Koechner are an absolute blast, they have never been funnier and show they still are the best news team around. James Marsden is terrific. Harrison Ford is excellent, its great seeing him in a comedy like this and the stars don't end with them. Its two hours of pure fun.

Phil Hubbs

The legend continues? did it need to?. Watching Ferrell prep his voice ready to go on air right at the start is a good funny moment that reminds you exactly… MoreThe legend continues? did it need to?. Watching Ferrell prep his voice ready to go on air right at the start is a good funny moment that reminds you exactly what this is about. Its off the wall insanely silly stuff that doesn't really make too much sense and doesn't really care.
The story isn't really much different from the first film and involves the usual career ups and downs for 'Burgundy', but now juggling with family issues. This time around Burgundy gets fired by his boss, the now well known real life old grump Harrison Ford. Only to be picked up for a 24 hour news station which is the newest thing (its the 80's remember). So off he goes to recruit his old news team and take New York by storm.
'Who the hell is Julius Caesar? You know I don't follow the NBA!'
The sequences where Burgundy finds his old buddies kinda paves the way for the rest of the film, its amusing, but not that amusing. Straight away I noticed that Carell's character 'Brick' seems to be way way over the top with his absurdities. Before this guy was obviously dumb or slow but generally kept up with the other guys. This time he's virtually beyond idiotic bordering on completely retarded, sure its funny at times but he's so out there the whole joke loses its appeal.
This feels like the problem with the whole film really, the joke has been stretched out too far and it loses its clever touch. All the other guys are still on their game with Koechner as outrageous as ever and easily being the best character next to Ferrell's. But the whole rival news team thing with Marsden feels old hat now and most of the jokes and quips don't really hold up as well. Don't get me wrong there are still some good moments here, Burgundy and his team getting all flustered over their new boss being a black woman was pretty funny. The usual sexual gapes and innuendos, dated visual gags such as their outfits and suits, the ever thick misogynistic angle that this franchise relies heavily on and Burgundy meeting his black bosses family probably being a highlight. Can't beat a bit of awkward to watch racial stereotyping tomfoolery.
'Which one of you pipe hittin' bitches can pass the salt?'
As you progress towards the finale the film becomes more of a spoof with every scene. The whole White Shark sub plot, Burgundy getting blinded and of course the big news team ruck that throws in quite a few needless cameos. Yeah sure its kinda funny I guess, sort of, but not overly. It all feels like they're just rehashing the original ideas, regurgitating the same thing but bigger and with more stars. Nothing wrong with the odd small cameo for laughs but did we really need to see so many in that finale fight, on that note did it really need to be so ludicrous?. A werewolf? a minotaur? the ghost of Stonewall Jackson?! did it need to that far?. Most of it wasn't even that amusing, seeing Sacha Baron Cohen play some snotty BBC news team reporter was actually kinda pathetic, he couldn't even get the gentlemanly accent right...and he's British!. Then you had all the corny stereotypical visual jokes about our Royal heritage and snootiness blah blah blah...oh please, originality anyway?.
I found this disappointing really, it just didn't do anything for me and it didn't feel fresh because it isn't. Almost the same as the first film except its bigger which isn't a problem generally, but it is if you reuse all the same gags. You can see everyone is having a blast doing this but unfortunately I think they enjoyed their reunion too much and forgot about making a decent film. The first film was funny due to its heavy satire of sexism and racism in the 1970's workplace. This has spots of that but mainly goes down the all out spoof route and loses that clever sting.
'Every morning I get here a half hour early and I sexually assault a starfish'

Alex roy

Anchorman 2 is yet another pointless sequel that fails in delivering good laughs. I find that it's very rare for comedies to have good follow ups.… MoreAnchorman 2 is yet another pointless sequel that fails in delivering good laughs. I find that it's very rare for comedies to have good follow ups. Anchorman 2 is a failed attempt at creating a good comedy. All this film is is a collection of recycled comedic gags, and the cast try far too hard at creating comic relief. I think it's a great shame for Will Ferrell because recently he has made many good comedies that were hilarious and memorable, and it was a fine return to form for him. However here he is presented with a strained formula, one that tries far too hard at delivering its comedy. There are a few funny bits, but it's not enough to redeem such a dull film. Ferrell has made funnier films, avoid this film if you want a great comedy. Anchorman 2 is a train wreck, and it had the potential of being funny, but the filmmakers felt it necessary to overdo everything, and they lost track of delivering genuine funny moments. The whole film feels forced in its comedy and the performances from its cast is underwhelming. Diehard Ferrell fans will love the film, but casual fans may want to pass this up. For me, The Campaign was a much better film with Farrell, and also one of his best. If you're disappointed by this film, watch that one instead. Anchorman 2 is a strained picture that doesn't deliver anything memorable. Now, I really didn't enjoy the original, aside from a few funny bits, and I expected a better film with this sequel, however I was very much disappointed, and this is virtually a laugh free comedy that tries too hard at being funny while using similar gags.

Nikhil Nandu

It's as funny and stupid as the original- and at least 10 times more random.

Cynthia S.

Loved the first one. Didn't so much love this one. There were a few laugh out loud moments, but the rest of the movie's lameness erased those. What a… MoreLoved the first one. Didn't so much love this one. There were a few laugh out loud moments, but the rest of the movie's lameness erased those. What a shame..

Manu Gino

It's Kind of a Big Deal.
Nice Comedy! We all know sequels are usually not as good as the original. But this is especially true when it comes to comedy… MoreIt's Kind of a Big Deal.
Nice Comedy! We all know sequels are usually not as good as the original. But this is especially true when it comes to comedy sequels. A joke just isn't as funny the second time you hear it. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, proves the exception to the rule. Anchorman 2 is one of the finest examples of absurdist comedy since, well, the first Anchorman movie. There are moments so hilariously bizarre, they would make the Monty Python troupe proud. It took nine years to bring this sequel to the screen. It was definitely worth the wait.
Having left San Diego for New York City, Ron Burgundy is living the high life with his wife Veronica Corningstone and son Walter Burgundy. However, when the boss decides to promote Veronica to full time lead anchor and fire Ron, everything changes. Now heading back to San Diego, Ron is washed up and working part time at Sea World. His shot at redemption though comes in the form of a man named Freddie Schapp, who's an executive producer at the Global News Network, the world's first 24 hour round the clock news channel. He hires Ron, who proceeds to reunite the news team of Champ, Brick, and Brian, and head back to New York City. While there Ron and his news team are given the graveyard shift and a challenge. Ron comes up with a radical new idea to transform the news and that puts him at the top of the game once again. But how long will Ron's newfound fame last? And will Brick finally find true love?